Thanks Aussie, what are 'r' codes?
If the average eye height for an australian male is 1.7 (average height of males= 1.8 m) then 1.6 m is inadequate.

Overlooking

A habitable room window or raised open space of a building on an allotment must not provide a direct line of sight into the secluded open space or a habitable room window of an existing dwelling on an adjoining allotment within a horizontal distance of 9 metres (measured at ground level) of the window or raised open space.
The direct line of site referred to must be measured with a 45° angle from the plane of window or perimeter of the raised open space and from height of 1.7 metres above the floor level of the habitable room or raised open space.

A habitable room window complies if:

(a) it is offset a minimum of 1.5 metres from the edge of one window to the edge of the other; or
(b) it has a sill height at least 1.7 metres above floor level; or

(c) it has obscure glazing at any part of the window below 1.7 metres above floor level; or

(d) it is obscured by a permanent and fixed screen which has no more than 25% of its area open.

A raised open space complies if the direct line of sight into the habitable room window or secluded private open space on the adjoining allotment is obscured by a permanent and fixed screen which has no more than 25% of its area open.

A window referred to above may be openable provided that when open the obscure glazing does not permit a direct line of sight into secluded private open space or habitable room window.
This does not apply to a new habitable room window that faces a property boundary if:

(a) there is a visual barrier at least 1.8 metres high at the boundary; and

(b) the floor level of the room is less than 800mm above ground level at the boundary.

A raised open space as indicated above means;

(a) a landing with an area more than 2m² and with a floor height of 800mm or more above natural ground level at the boundary; or

(b) a balcony, terrace, deck or patio with a floor height of 800mm or more above natural ground level at the boundary.

If the design does not comply with this a consent and report of the relevant council will be required.

It is 1.7m, so only above average males can perve... apparently they discovered all peeping Toms are short guys...

There's some info here...


Ed

hi would you know if this requirement is also applicable if there's no existing dwelling in the area? (i.e. we are the first ones to build on our block)

thanks in advance